MetService issues Severe Weather Warnings, Red Warning for Buller and Westland

Neighbourly.co.nz

UPDATE
July 15 4:44pm

A rare Red Weather warning has been issued for Buller and Westland from 9pm tonight until early Saturday.

The current warning in place forecasts between 300mm and 400mm of rain to fall in the region, almost twice its monthly rainfall. Peak rates of 20-30mm per hour is set to fall on Friday afternoon.

MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said that there would be significant impact on West Coast communities and transport links to other regions, with the possibility of roads becoming impassable and possibly isolating communities.

"We are asking people to act now to keep themselves and their whānau safe and to heed the advice of authorities," adds Ferris. "Anyone with travel plans in Westland and Buller on Friday and Saturday are urged to keep up to date with road information from Waka Kotahi NZTA. This is especially relevant due to the school holidays bringing more families to the West Coast."
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MetService has issued several severe weather warnings for regions in the South Island and central New Zealand.

An active front is moving slowly across southern and central New Zealand today, bringing with it heavy rain in western areas and northerly, gale force winds for central regions.

In a statement, MetService said rain across Westland to northwest of Nelson is set to be significant, with the potential for flooding and disruptions for commuters.

Severe northerly gales are forecast in Wellington, with the agency informing residents to expect power outages and damage to insecure structures.

The Orange Weather Warnings affect the following areas:

Orange Rain Warning:
- Nelson west of Motueka from 6am Friday. Valid from 6am Friday
- Buller. Valid from 1pm Thursday
- Western ranges of Marlborough including the Richmond and Bryant ranges. Valid from 4pm Friday
- The headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers from the Rakaia river northwards. From 11pm Thursday
- Westland north of Fox Glacier. Valid from 6pm Thursday
- The headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers between Mount Cook and the Rakaia river. Valid from 4am Friday.
- Westland south of Fox Glacier. Valid from 9pm Thursday

Orange Wind Warning:
- Taranaki Region: gusts up to 120kmh in exposed places. Valid from 8pm Friday
- Marlborough Region: gusts of 120kmh. Valid from 1pm Friday
- Wellington, and Wairarapa south of Featherston: north to northwest severe gales gusting 140 kmh in exposed areas. Valid from 3pm Friday

For more information and to keep up to date with any developments, visit the MetService's warning page.

Neighbourly will update this message as further information is released from the MetService wire.